Alberbury 190-8 drew with Welshpool 152-7

WELSHPOOL boosted their first division survival prospects with a battling derby draw at Alberbury.

Greg Jones struck early for Pool with home opener Dan Leach caught by Russell Cadwallader for just 10.

However surviving opener Charles Bourne was joined in a fruitful second wicket stand by Andrew Wynne before Jones completed his 2-36 with Bourne caught by Rob Rudge for 44.

Tom Bowen ran out Adam Lawrence for 23 to spark a wobble in the Alberbury ranks while Patrick Davies (2-33) celebrated the coveted wicket of Wynne, caught by Dan Chodecki for a top scoring 77, to leave the home side defending 190-8.

Neil Savage (3-29) tormented Welshpool’s top order in reply with Paul Chapman departing for six while Chodecki and Cadwallader fell for ducks.

Nick Davies was joined by Dan Pritchard in pinning together the Pool innings with a dogged fifth wicket partnership frustrating the home attack.

Both eventually fell to Andy Holloway with Davies caught by Lawrence for 48 while Pritchard was caught by Savage for 30.

Holloway completed his 3-27 with John Gough removed for two while Patrick Davies was caught by Lawrence off Myles Thomas (1-22) for a duck.

Pool were not to be denied a deserved share of the spoils with Rudge (28no) and Bowen (19no) forming an unbroken eighth wicket stand to steer their side to 152-7 and a deserved draw.

The result ensured Welshpool a share of the spoils while keeping alive their hopes of completing their escape from the first division relegation mire as the season reaches its exciting climax.